The Electronic Intifada

Belgian campaign targets bank financing Israeli settlements

Adri Nieuwhof 1 April 2009


In a remarkably short period of time, activists in Belgium have built a strong basis for the campaign “Israel colonizes — Dexia funds,” asking the bank to divest from its subsidiary Dexia Israel because of its financing of the expansion of illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Adri Nieuwhof reports for The Electronic Intifada. 

Israel may have deliberately attacked sewage infrastructure

Marian Houk 30 March 2009


During the Israeli attack in January, there was a breach in one of the earthen embankment walls of a sewage containment lagoon in Gaza due to some form of Israeli military activity resulting in a large sewage flood. The breach is likely to mean long-term environmental damage, with dangerous consequences for human health. Marian Houk reports for The Electronic Intifada. 

Palestinians remember Land Day

Jonathan Cook Arrabeh 30 March 2009


Palestinians across the Middle East were due to commemorate Land Day today, marking the anniversary of clashes in 1976 in which six unarmed Palestinians were shot dead by the Israeli army as it tried to break up a general strike. Although Land Day is one of the most important anniversaries in the Palestinian calendar, sometimes referred to as the Palestinians’ national day, the historical event it marks is little spoken of and rarely studied. Jonathan Cook reports. 

Lieberman is no abnormality

Nimer Sultany 24 March 2009


It would be mistaken to think of the rise of Avigdor Lieberman and his party, Yisrael Beiteinu, as a major development or as the main source of concern for the Palestinians. Focusing on Lieberman (charitably called by the Guardian a “hardliner”) distracts the discussion from the real issues to the person of one unpleasant politician who says ignominious things others are generally unwilling to say. Nimer Sultany comments for The Electronic Intifada. 

Gaza rubble is forensic evidence

Don Duncan 24 March 2009


With the $4.5 billion in pledges made by international donors at the Sharm al-Sheikh conference this month, the humanitarian focus in Gaza will begin to shift, looking forward at clearing rubble and rebuilding anew. But before any reconstruction can start, much emergency relief work still needs to be done and humanitarian workers and medics won’t be the only ones trawling through the rubble. Don Duncan reports. 

Divestment campaign gains momentum in Europe

Adri Nieuwhof 24 March 2009


The Swedish national pension fund AP7 is the latest institution to follow the socially responsible investment example of Dutch ASN Bank by excluding the French transportation giant Alstom from its portfolio. Alstom was excluded because of the company’s involvement in Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land. Adri Nieuwhof reports for The Electronic Intifada.